Stefano almost likes Will because he was his grandson for a while and is friends with his son Chad.

If they are going to do this stupid storyline Will should have shown that he is man enough to be a father. He should have been able to look Stefano in the eye and state his case with conviction. Instead he just stood there smiling like he'd been gassed by the Joker while SAMI pleaded his case FOR him! Instead of Will saying

"I'll never hold my daughter"

It was SAMI saying "I'll never hold my grandchild"

Considering Sami tried to keep Stefano away from his own grandchildren, that right there was reason enough for Stefano to laugh in her face.